180 likes | 224 Views
Join us at the Scanning Electron Microscope Innovation Center on 16/9/10 to witness cutting-edge analysis conducted by Supervisor Birgir Jóhannsson and students. Discover the fascinating world of electron microscopes, with magnifications up to 2,000,000x and resolutions that reveal minute details. Explore the two common types, Transmission EM and Scanning EM, with a focus on SEM. Delve into elemental analysis using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to uncover chemical compositions. Uncover how EM can scan areas and points, making it a powerful tool for surface analysis. Dive into real-world applications, from pollution monitoring near Fjarðarál to studying composition changes in coins. For more insights, visit the provided references.
E N D
Scanning Electron Microscope Innovation Center, Analysis performed 16/9/10 Supervisor: Birgir Jóhannsson Students:, Frímann, Hafdís, Helgi, Ísak, Þorvaldur
Electron microscope in general • Light microscopes can get 2000x magnification • Electron microscopes (EM) can get up to 2.000.000x magnification • The resolution is determined by focusing of the electron beam • Two most common types, Transmission EM and Scanning EM • SEM at the Innovation Center
The electron beam • The electrons are generated from a small ceramic tip, radius of the tip about 0.5μm • The acceleration voltage was 20 kV • The electrons are focused to a spot 0.5-5nm in diameter
Elemental analysis • Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy • Electron from an inner shell is excited and ejected from the atom • Outer shell electron falls to the gap left by the ejected electron and emits an X-ray • Wavelength of the X-ray is characteristic for the atom
Conclusions • Electron microscopes and get an enormous magnification and determine chemical compositions of surfaces with X-ray analysis. • EM can also scan over an area and between points. • The area around Fjarðarál is polluted. • Coins from the early 1980’s differ in composition as opposed to present day.
References • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_electron_microscope • http://www.purdue.edu/rem/rs/sem.htm